NOROVIRUS- The "Stomach Bug"
WHAT IS IT?
- Norovirus – a common and contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea is on the rise throughout the United States. It is a viral infection commonly causing gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal upset. While many viruses and illnesses cause a fever, norovirus does not always cause one.
- The CDC has noted that over 15% of Norovirus stool sample tests are coming back positive. This is the highest positivity rate since March 2022.
HOW DO YOU GET IT?
- This is a HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE infection. If one person has it in a household, it is almost inevitable that everyone else will get it as well.
- This virus is passed through respiratory as well as environmental pathways. Meaning via cough, sneeze, saliva, high-touch surfaces, etc.
- Following exposure, a person will usually develop symptoms 12-48 hours later (incubation period) and will get better within 1-3 days.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT IT?
- The number one way to prevent transmission of this virus is practice proper hand hygiene: wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, before you eat or prepare food, and when they are visibly soiled.
- Wiping down surfaces that are shared can also help decrease transmission of this virus.
- Hand sanitizer which tends to be alcohol-based can prevent illness from many viruses, but it may not work that well for norovirus. The best way to wash your hands is with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
HOW DO YOU TREAT IT?
- While this virus tends to be short-lived, treatment is based on symptomatic care.
- Fluids, fluids, fluids! Keep up your fluids – particularly clear fluids or those with a little bit of carbonation.
- While having the symptoms of norovirus can be uncomfortable, they tend to be very short-lived and something that many people recover from in just a few days with over-the-counter medications. Hydration is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent dehydration – the biggest complication of this illness.
